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Last Bus to Woodstock
- Inspector Morse Mysteries, Book 1
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
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Summary
Last Bus to Woodstock is the novel that began Colin Dexter's phenomenally successful Inspector Morse series.
'Do you think I'm wasting your time, Lewis?'
Lewis was nobody's fool and was a man of some honesty and integrity.
'Yes, sir.'
An engaging smile crept across Morse's mouth. He thought they could get on well together....
The death of Sylvia Kaye figured dramatically in Thursday afternoon's edition of the Oxford Mail. By Friday evening Inspector Morse had informed the nation that the police were looking for a dangerous man - facing charges of willful murder, sexual assault and rape.
But as the obvious leads fade into twilight and darkness, Morse becomes more and more convinced that passion holds the key....
Last Bus to Woodstock is followed by the second Inspector Morse book, Last Seen Wearing.
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What listeners say about Last Bus to Woodstock
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- Simon
- 06-10-17
No Case for Re-Morse
It almost feels like some kind of confession to reveal that I have never previously read any of the Inspector Morse books and neither have I ever watched a full episode of the TV series. Thanks to the books coming out on Audible (quite a number of them were just released) I have now remedied that. What I found was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery and more than adequate police procedural novel. The beginnings of the chemistry between Morse and Lewis is enjoyable. Morse isn't an easy character, bit of an opera snob and he does sometimes treat Lewis rather poorly.
The book though is of course over four decades old. In some ways it's a little quaint as Morse talks about the wonders that his forensic boys can perform in the days before DNA, ANPR and mobile phone records. There's also a charming naivete about one of the methods that Morse uses to track down a suspect - though I guess it could work with a bit of luck thrown in as the author admits. The narration strikes just the right tone for a book of the period, it's clear, precise and never overly demonstrative.
This was of course the 70s though, a time of very different attitudes and sensibilities. The continuous series of high profile court cases and news stories harking back to that time give very apt testament to how those attitudes could manifest themselves. So there is here the kind of casual sexism that could offend. I took a look at other reviews on Goodreads and other sites and there are a fair few people who felt this spoiled the book for them including one that suggested the books should be re-written to remove that aspect from the characters. I can't subscribe to that, this is a product of its time and taken in context it's authentic. To retrofit it to today's standard would be plain wrong. It's not particularly excessive though I have to confess that even to me a chat up line used by Morse early in the book sounded supremely cringe worthy! Overall it's not hugely bad but it is there and it's clearly enough to spoil it for some which I can understand.
So, you're getting a book written over four decades ago with all that entails. I enjoyed it and I suspect I'll return for more of the books that have just been released. The quality of the writing and the iconic characters are reason enough for me.
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45 people found this helpful
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- Matt St P
- 12-01-18
Very good indeed.
I have put off the works of Collin Dexter for some time, as TV's Morse is such an iconic character, I was worried the books would pale in comparison.
I am pleased to report that this book was both excellent and different.
Morse appears to be younger, bitterer (sorry Morse) and quite a bit madder than John Thaw's portrayal. Fortunately I do not imagine that they sound, look, or act the same. The page Morse is a very different beast to the screen Morse.
I thought it was well written with fully formed characters. It kept me entertained right up until the end.
I must confess I did feel a little bewildered in the last few chapters and may have to revisit these. All the threads seem to get tied up, and the conclusion didn't feel contrived.
The problem I have with many mystery novels is that they often rely on a confession from the murder, this one more than produced on that front, and the double mystery was working out why each character was confessing. I would like some good hard evidence to back up the confession, bit I suppose it would not be much of a mystery if the killer had been forensically identified in chapter three.
That said, it is set some 40 years ago, and I can well believe forensic capabilities were less developed then.
I have seen a few reviews commenting on the appalling attitudes of the main characters towards women particularly rape. I think it is an accurate depiction of the attitudes of the 1970's. It should be seen as a period piece, and it is good when read as such. It is not possible to attach today's values to yesterday's (fictitious) events and still come away with a feeling of authenticity. I don't agree with the opinions expressed by Morse , but in context I do not think it detracts from the book too badly.
The narrator did a very good job. The voices are his own and expertly delivered. At times I found myself thinking how TV's Morse and Lewis might sound and act, but there is never a hint of an impression of either, which is good because impressions of TV characters would have been very off putting.
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19 people found this helpful
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- K
- 24-10-17
Overwrought
I mean overwrought in the emotional sense. This book presents characters who are overly dramatic and there are too many touches of a 'Brief Encounter' angst for my taste.
Despite my great love for the TV series - especially the brilliant casting of Morse and Lewis, I always did find Morse's awkward penchant for dashing himself at women more annoying than endearing and the same goes for this book.
In addition, though not as bad as the Frost books, is the rather dated and casual misogyny which I find rather tedious now - yes, it is of its period but does act as a reminder about the ridiculous expectations women were expected align themselves with.
Samuel West, with his crisp consonants, is a perfect match for the tone and period of the setting. He captures Morse's ennui perfectly.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Margaret
- 21-08-18
SURPRISING ENJOYABLE
First foray into Colin Dexter's first Inspector Morse series of novels. Never seen the TV series, therefore refreshing to listen to this "unadulterated", even better with Samuel West's narration, perfect choice.
Many reviewers are far more articulate, but some comments say it is either dated, political incorrect, or sexist. It is a novel of the 70's and in keeping with our English heritage. Go read another book if you want it changed to suit today's readers.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Kathryn
- 18-07-19
Hard to enjoy because of the sexism
These books have not aged well. Casual sexism, at times verging on misogyny, is baked in to every aspect of the book. I tried to look past it and enjoy the writing and the mystery plot, but it's so pervasive that the reader can't ignore it. I actually wish that the publishers would release a rewrite, removing the sexism, so that one can actually enjoy the plot, mystery and main characters, which would otherwise be enjoyable.
The female characters are incredibly shallow and are written from the imigination of a male gaze. For example, they appear to enjoy, and compete for, unsolicited male attention based on their looks. Women's bodies are either overly sexualised or, if not young and 'slim', casually dismissed in a way that implies repulsion. Girls' bodies (and I mean *girls*) are treated as sexually enticing. Of a young woman's *corpse*, Morse notes her "full breasts". It's all very creepy and unsettling.
I persevered to the second book hoping the sexism would ease up, but it gets much, much worse, and I've now given up on the series. It's unfortunate because they would otherwise be pretty good books.
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3 people found this helpful
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- deborah
- 15-07-18
Superb. Story, plot, characters...everything
This is a superb story, with great character development and an introduction to Morse that makes you want more... great plot too
Samuel West is excellent and such a beautiful voice to make Morse and Lewis real
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3 people found this helpful
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- Painter
- 12-04-18
Surprisingly fresh
The unabridged Dexter featuring the authentic Morse - and equally real Lewis - delivered by the beautifully sensitive voice of Samuel West.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Mary Carnegie
- 12-03-18
Two classic detectives make their debut
Samuel West does a great job in portraying diverse characters and accents intelligently and naturally. He is becoming one of my favourite narrators (like the late lamented Bill Wallis, a genius with voices).
Morse and Lewis are not yet fully formed but the foundations are in place. Lewis is much put upon, a hardworking, decent family man (Welsh, which is nice, and distinguishes him from the Lewis of the TV adaptations), exploited unmercifully by Morse, already. Morse is arrogant, irascible, pedantic, egocentric, incapable of sustained intimate relationships and prone to unsuitable attractions to younger women. The Morse of the novels is not physically attractive (he has a comb-over! horror of horrors!!)
I do remember that world of the 70s, interestingly, I recall the casual sexism more clearly than the primitive technology - it’s a surprise to be reminded that there were typewriters, no mobiles, not even phones in every household, driving after drinking was not regarded as particularly sinful, there were such garments as “slacks”, stockings and suspenders (not just as fetish apparel), and unreliable cars.
Forensics were amazingly underdeveloped (though having studied them in 1974, I didn’t know it at the time).
Morse is of the same era as Gene Hunt, of “Life on Mars” and “Ashes to Ashes”, but the irony intrinsic to that more recent view of 1970s policing is understandably absent.
Nonetheless he is far preferable to the obnoxious Peter Wimsey, also with Oxford connections.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Rachel Cottrell
- 30-06-23
should have trigger warning
Want to return this due to the horrific attitudes towards rape. Should definitely have a trigger warning.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Philippa
- 18-11-22
Beautifully read
At last I’ve found a series I can listen to. Sam West is a tremendous reader and makes listening a delight.
Whilst Colin Dexter’s writing hasn’t aged well societally, the plot twists stand the test of time.
As a Morse, Lewis and especially Endeavour fan, I relished listening and visualising the story. Reserved for night time, episodes segued in to the day so I’m now already into the second book. This is going to get expensive!
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1 person found this helpful